VANCOMYCIN-RESISTANT ENTEROCOCCAL INFECTIONS IN BONE-MARROW TRANSPLANT RECIPIENTS

Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) infections have been increasing ly reported in immunosuppressed individuals over the past decade. Emer gence of this pathogen in the bone marrow transplantation (BMT) settin g, in the form of bacteremia or positive stool cultures,is of concern because of lack of effective antimicrobial therapy. We report episodes of vancomycin-resistant E. faecium bacteremia in two patients undergo ing BMT including the first case of VRE meningitis observed in this se tting. Since the outcome in these patients undergoing matched unrelate d donor BMT was fatal, we believe that routine screening for VRE in hi gh risk patients should be considered. Management of VRE carrier state in BMT candidates is unclear at present.